Got some bike fixing knowledge you want to put to good use in 2025? Or do you have an interest in learning and improving your bike repair skills? Volunteer with a community bike program near you!

One of the greatest strengths of bicycling for transportation is its resilience. When a car dashboard throws up a warning light, there’s not much the average person can do other than take it to a shop and brace themselves for an estimate that will likely cost as much as a new bicycle. But with bikes, you have more options. You can take it to a shop to have professionals do the job to perfection, or you can save some money by trying to do it yourself. Not everyone wants to learn bike repair, which is fine. That’s a big reason why bike shops are such important bike infrastructure. But for those who do want to learn (or can’t afford professional shop time), Seattle has great community resources available that run on community donations and generous volunteer power.

Bike Shack Shoreline and NE Seattle

Initially an independent community bike repair org housed in an actual shack, the Bike Shack is now part of Seattle REconomy’s tool libraries in NE Seattle and Shoreline. Anyone can become a Tool Library member and bring their bike to the Bike Shack during open hours and use the shop tools and ask for assistance from volunteers (though you can drop-in, it’s best to fill out a Request for Assistance form on their website to let them know what kind of work you need).

The Bike Shack recently put out a call for volunteer bike mechanics for both locations. Previous experience is not required.

The Bikery

The Bikery is a volunteer-powered community bike shop on Hiawatha Place near Rainier and Dearborn. They have open shop hours on weekends as well as volunteer build nights and other events. They often have openings for board members and other work within the organization if that’s more your speed.

Bike Works

Though Bike Works is primarily dedicated to youth programming, bicycle reuse and their bike shop, they also have weekly adult volunteer repair parties where people of all skill levels can work on fixing up bikes to support their programs. It’s a great way to get hand-on experience and learn from experienced mechanics, though it is not geared toward fixing your own bike. Once you’re in, you may find yourself doing all kinds of other volunteer work to support this great community organization, and you’ll have a great time doing it. Unlike the other organizations on this list, the Bike Works shop is staffed by paid mechanics. But they are generous about costs, especially for folks who don’t have the funds to pay full shop prices.

The Center for Bicycle Repair

The Center for Bicycle Repair is a small bike shop on Jackson Street near 10th Ave S that focuses both on helping people keep their wheels rolling and on teaching the basics of bicycle repair through classes.

Other opportunities

This list is not exhaustive. There are other organizations beyond Seattle, like Sharing Wheels in Everett, and some bike shops like Wright Brothers also have community programs or classes of some kind. Ask your local mechanic if they know of anything nearby.

Have a favorite bike repair volunteer gig that you want to share? Let us know in the comments below.